Rochdale Hornets

Dewsbury Rams v Rochdale Hornets

Sunday 6th May 2018, 15:00pm

Championship - Round: 13

Stats over last 8 encounters

Points

Wins

Loses

Tries

52

33

HORNETS HEADING TO DEWSBURY

Rochdale Hornets make the trip to the Tetley’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as they take on Dewsbury Rams in Round 13 of the Betfred Championship season.

FORM GUIDE

Rochdale Hornets go into this game off the back of seven straight defeats, the most recent of those came last Sunday at home to Sheffield Eagles. Despite a huge improvement in performance, the hosts ran out of bodies in the end as they picked up six injuries during the contest, including Lewis Hatton dropping out in the warm-up.

Lee Mitchell, Billy Brickhill and Matty Hadden all scored in the 38-16 defeat, with Tyler Whittaker coming in on trial and adding two goals.

Dewsbury are also on a baron run having lost their last eight matches, stretching back to a 20-0 home victory over Swinton Lions back in February. Last week they were heavily beaten away to London Broncos, 64-6. Danny Ansell scored their only try of the defeat, with James Glover converting the effort.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Hornets’ opening fixture of the season came at home to Dewsbury Rams, as the two sides faced off on a Monday evening after Rochdale’s opening two games of the season had been called off.

It wasn’t the start Alan Kilshaw’s side were looking for, as they were on the wrong end of a 38-6 score line. Luke Adamson marked his debut with Hornets’ only try, while Harvey Livett was on target with the conversion.

The last time Rochdale overcame the Rams was on the opening day of the 2017 season, with an emphatic 46-0 victory. On that day Ben Moores crossed twice, along with Danny Yates, Joe Taira and Rob Massam.

TEAM NEWS

Rochdale’s injury list continues to grow, as Luke Adamson, Toby Adamson, Ben Moores, Dave Allen, Dec Gregory, Joe Taira and Lewis Palfrey are all ruled out. That has led to Miles Greenwood coming out of retirement to come into the 19-man squad, while Morgan Smith comes in on dual-registration from Warrington Wolves. Rob Massam faces a late fitness test, while Lewis Hatton will be hoping to make it past the warm-up.

Dewsbury are boosted by the potential return of Gareth Moore to the halves, while hookers Robbie Ward and Dom Speakman are expected to be back in action. Rob Spicer, Michael Knowles and James Goodall are also in contention. Danny Ansell, Lewis Heckford, Martyn Reilly and Gareth Potts all drop out from the side that was beaten by London.

ONES TO WATCH

Gareth Moore is a standout performer in the halves for the Rams, with his attacking play causing problems to defences across the league. He will be looking to step up in the absence of playmaker Paul Sykes, in what will be his 200th career appearance. Josh Guzdek has plenty of quality at the back, as he returns the ball well and will link into the attacking line out the back. Jack Teanby will look to give the Ram their go-forward, using his size in the middle of the park to get Dewsbury on the front foot.